Forces are in operation mode, says CRPF special DG

With Maoists changing their strategy and increasing violence, a top anti-Naxal officer on Sunday said that the security forces are in an "operation mode" and will not sit quiet.

"I have nothing personally...I am not aware of it. As far as we are concerned, we are on the ops (operation) mode," CRPF Special DG and commander of the anti-Naxal task force Vijay Raman said here when asked about possible talks with the left-wing extremists.

He said the Naxals have changed their strategy leading to more violence. "I am not surprised that they are changing their tactics. We are not going to sit quiet."

Asked about the increasing concern over possible collateral damage in wake of a coordinated anti-Naxal offensive involving over 60,000 central security personnel, he said, "Right from the very beginning, our stress has been on avoiding any collateral damage. This has been the brief from the Home Ministry. Collateral damage would be avoided. "

On reports of problems being faced by the forces in Jharkhand, he said the task force is undertaking operations which are "borderless and seamless".

He claimed that many Naxalites, including senior leaders, have surrendered at various places especially in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.